Ponies & Palm Trees drawing!

 Well, the lucky Ponies & Palm Trees ticket-opportunity-winners were notified today, so congratulations if you were drawn! Looks like there's a been a little bit of the usual posts about how people were drawn for tickets but just can't go (why enter in the first place?), or wondering if the tickets can be sold (they can't, which was clearly spelled out in the entry form), etc etc. I wasn't drawn, which makes me sad because I haven't been to a collector event since 2016, but there's always hope for the wait list! And if I get drawn from a Florida wait list again, I won't pass up the opportunity this time (I was drawn from the wait list for the Sunshine Celebration in 2011, didn't go and have been kicking myself about it ever since)! 

August Collector Club Newsletter!

 Good news, everyone - the August collector club newsletter was published yesterday! Check your email if you're a CC member. There's a fun story about Traditional models that have been shrunk down to Stablemate size, a giveaway for Atticus, the mini Clyde Stallion from the 2021 Stablemates Club, and an enticing sneak peek for an upcoming release! 

The hint says it's something spooky, so I'm guessing it's the Halloween Classic - maybe Malik? Hope we get to find out soon! 

Breyerfest second chance items!

 Good news, readers - my Breyerfest second chance items arrived yesterday. If you’ll recall, I ordered two more Rhenish Drafts in an attempt to get a glossy one, and I’m happy to report that the second one was in fact glossy!

Huzzah! What a beauty - this color looks great in gloss.

Quality-wise he’s okay, but has the usual flaws like poorly-cleaned seams, lint in the gloss, etc. But at least I got a glossy, and the Georg conga is complete again, for now anyway.

I suppose I should give a heads up now that my posts may be spotty for the next few days as we move to another residence. On top of that, my entire collection will be going into storage for the foreseeable future, so if anyone has any tips on how to store models for the long term, I’m all ears. I have not been able to secure a climate-controlled storage unit yet, so the current plan is to put them in the non-climate-controlled unit I already have and hope a climate-controlled one opens up in the near future. Let’s hope a short stint in non-climate-controlled storage doesn’t do much damage. 

Ponies & Palm Trees is now available to enter!

 Good news, everyone - Collector Club members can now enter for their chance to attend the Ponies & Palm Trees collector event! Huzzah! The deadline to enter is 11:59pm on 8/28, so don't forget to get your entry in! Good luck to everyone entering! 

In somewhat different news, the Tractor Supply special runs are starting to show up in stores, and it appears that there are new Stablemates Mystery Foal Surprise sets (on the same molds as usual...sigh), and there's a holiday ornament of Blue, the FFA model, in addition to the Traditional model. The ornament is a small version of Geronimo - could that mean he's going to become a Stablemate in the future? Gasp! 

Ponies & Palm Trees Information!

 Good news, everyone! We finally know when we'll be able to enter for tickets for the Ponies & Palm Trees collector event coming up in November! 

The page for the event has been updated with some new information! Most importantly, we'll be able to enter to be drawn for tickets from 8/22 to 8/28. Also, the event Stablemate that everyone receives with their ticket is named "Delray." Interesting. 

If someone does get drawn for a ticket, they'll be able to purchase a ticket for themselves and another ticket for a guest, should they want to bring someone along. However, they have to enter the name of their potential guest when entering for a ticket, which is...annoying. Potential winners will be notified on or around 8/29. Exciting stuff - good luck to everyone entering! 

Breyerfest Closeups: Woodstock and Mini Woodstock

 Hello and welcome to this year's last Breyerfest Closeups post! Today we're taking a look at Woodstock, an upcoming release for the 2022 Vintage Club. 

So we have a woodgrain Indian Pony and her tiny doppelganger, a woodgrain Stablemate Indian Pony! They even put the feathers on the tiny IP's mane, though one wonders why they didn't go all the way and put feathers on the tail as well. Technical problems, I suppose. 

So presumably this is the next release in the club? I don't remember if there was any indication of when these are going to be released, but I feel like it may be time for the next one? I guess Gawain was only released last month, though, so we may be waiting a while longer for this one. I guess we'll find out eventually! 

TSC planogram has leaked!

 Good news everyone! In addition to the recent Stablemates Blind Bag news, this year's Tractor Supply planogram has shown up on Facebook! Behold: 

So, in the upper right corner we have what looks like a bay American Dream/Freedom Series Rearing Mustang, and it looks like the Classic American Quarter Horse Foal in black is in there with him. On the row below them is a couple of Snowbirds and then what looks like, "Blue," on the Geronimo mold, as some kind of special run for FFA. Below him are a black pinto Zippo Pine Bar or "Zeke," a dapple gray Latigo or "Ashton," and a dunalino long-tail Lady Phase as "Jolene." Below them are the Phantom and Misty set, a new set that appears to be some kind of pinto Classic Black Stallion, Classic Morgan Foal in black pinto and a chestnut Harper, and then Chocolatey. On the bottom shelf there are a couple of styling heads and a Breyer Farms barn I'd like to see up close to see what (if any) models come with it. Whew, that's a lot of stuff! 

Fortunately, I don't need any of it except the new American Dream set and the Classics family set with the Harper. Blue looks pretty attractive, though - but I'm biased toward blue things anyway. Let's hope these new offerings don't take too long to show up at our TSC stores! 

Featured Model - 8/13/2022, 2009 Auction Old Timer

 Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured Model, the weekly blog event where I pick a model I don't own but may have an interesting story behind it, give some stats on it and provide commentary about it. This week's model is...the 2009 Breyerfest Auction Old Timer! 

He's a OOAK done on the Old Timer mold sculpted by Chris Hess. 

While he doesn't really have a special story (at least, not that I know of), he is noteworthy because he came with a party hat rather than his usual hat. 2009 was an anniversary year, so the hat is a fun nod to the Birthday Bash. Looks like a paper hat? I wonder how that's fared over the years. The model's color is nice, too, or at least looks that way in the poor lighting. 

The Old Timer does have his fans, and I have to admit he has a certain whimsical appeal. Molded-on tack is sadly out of style, though (and complicated to paint), though it does look like he's had a decent number of releases despite that. Most recently he was used as the special run Fair Dinkum produced for the True Blue Breyer event last year. So it's hard to say where we'll see him next - but since next year's Breyerfest will focus on working horses, I wonder if he'll make an appearance there? Maybe as the token vintage model in the special run line? The fact that he was used as a web special in 2019, and then as Fair Dinkum last year, may indicate there's another, larger run in the works for him, but I suppose we'll have to wait and see! 

Breyerfest Closeups: Chadwick

 Greetings, readers - it's time for another Breyerfest Closeups post, this time featuring Chadwick, the second Collector Club special run for 2022! Check him out:

He sure is pretty! If I were still an Emerson collector, I'd be all over that. Sadly, the ongoing battle for shelf space left him out in the cold. I like that he's glossy, though- most of the Collector Club special runs are matte, so it's good to see a glossy one every once in a while. His paint job looks nicely shaded, too - though this isn't my favorite shade of palomino (I like them a tad darker), he's definitely a handsome guy. I wonder how long it'll be before he's released? Hopefully prior to December, eh? 

That's all I have for today, but never fear - Breyerfest Closeups will return soon! 

Breyerfest second chance sale and new TSC blind bags!

 Well, the Breyerfest second chance sale is going on now - better log on and buy stuff while you still can! Several items are showing as sold out this afternoon, including the Rotating Draft Surprise, Elbe and Spree, Landler and some of the swag. I did order two more Rhenish Drafts- with any luck I'll get a glossy this time and be done with it. 

In other news, new blind bags have been showing up at Tractor Supply stores across the country, or at least in California. I don't have photos I can use yet, but the molds in the assortment appear to be a black overo pinto Alborozo, chestnut G2 Standardbred, bay tobiano pinto Mini Emma, black leopard G3 TWH, blue pinto G4 Vaulting Horse/Drafter and the chase was finally revealed today as a gold chrome Magnolia. Looks like I'll be on the hunt for the Alborozo, mini Emma and TWH! I'll have to check our "local" TSC stores later this month or next month. 

Breyerfest second chance sale!

 Good news, everyone - the Prost! second chance sale is coming very soon! 

The sale starts tomorrow at 1pm EST, and continues through the end of the month or while supplies last. I, uh, hope everyone who never got their Breyerfest tickets has managed to get ahold of Breyer by now to figure out a solution - if you haven't, definitely do that really, really soon. 

I don't have any plans to buy anything, though I may pick up a couple more Rhenish drafts (if any are available) in hopes of getting a glossy. Good luck to everyone ordering! 

Zafirah is finally available!

 Good news, everyone! Zafirah, the first release in this year's Premier Club, is finally available to order! 

 

I, uh...kinda wonder if Breyer is aware of many people's concerns about Zafirah's weird-looking front legs? Because that's a cool photo angle, but conveniently leaves the legs out of it. Haha! I do like her head and neck, but those legs are just...nah. I'll pass her on to another owner. We have until 8/24 to order her, so at least there's plenty of time to come up with the money. 

Featured Model - 8/6/2022, Test Black Misty's Twilight

 Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured Model, the weekly blog event where I pick a model I don't own but may have an interesting story behind it, give some stats on it and provide commentary about it. This week's model is...the test black Misty's Twilight! 

This model is a OOAK produced on the Misty's Twilight mold sculpted by Jeanne Mellin Herrick. 

Another test model I had no idea existed - she's a black version of the original Misty's Twilight (with added black legs for some reason), which was in production from 1991-1995. This particular model was sold at the Breyerfest Live Auction in 1997. Check out her braids! 

The original Misty's Twilight didn't have painted braids, but I suppose this one could get the special treatment since it was a test model. It's always fun to see these alternate versions of models we all know and love! Misty's Twilight certainly looks striking in black pinto! Maybe (without doing any research on the subject) this is the start of Breyer's weird obsession with solid legs on pintos? One can only wonder, and maybe do more of the research I haven't had the time to do. 

Anyway, I always had a little soft spot for Misty's Twilight because she looks so much like she belongs on a postcard or in a Currier and Ives illustration. At one time I had the original Misty's Twilight, plus Winter Belle and Sundance, but eventually they fell victim to lack of shelf space, like so many other models. Where will we see the mold pop up next? She hasn't been used since the Winter Belle release in 2011, but I wonder if she'll put in an appearance at next year's Breyerfest? She easily looks like she could be pulling a sleigh or some other vehicle, so maybe she'll be a prize model or something. I guess we'll find out eventually! 

Breyerfest Closeups: Salvino

 Greetings, readers! It's time for another Breyerfest Closeups - we're really moving right along, aren't we? Today's model is Salvino! 

This guy will be the event model at the upcoming Breyer Collector Club event, Ponies & Palm Trees, coming up in November. He's definitely a beauty! I wonder if this is a sample or an actual production piece? He certainly has a lot of shading, though I'm not sure we needed another bay Salinero. 

Speaking of Ponies & Palm Trees, I hope they do the ticket lottery soon so people can plan. I'm tentatively hoping I can go, should I get drawn for a ticket, but my schedule may be completely upended in the next couple of months, so it's hard to say. Maybe they'll show us a few of the special runs ahead of time? I can always hope. 

Breyerfest Closeups: Altair

 Hello everyone, and welcome to another edition of Breyerfest Closeups! Today I'm going to show off the new Classics Unicorn release, which was officially revealed in the Collector Club tent! 

It's been a while since Breyer has done a galaxy-themed horse (though the star bears and starry glow-in-the-dark Stablemates from a few years ago come close), so this is a welcome surprise. And it's always good to see a new release on the Shire B! I bet this one will be popular. I really like his purple/blue color scheme and the white on his face. I hope they don't all have a curve in their horns, though! And it would have been nice to see the mane and tail ribbons painted - not sure what color they should have been, though. Silver and white maybe? That would have been pretty cool. 

Let's hope his release comes sooner rather than later! I'm looking forward to getting this one in hand. 

That's all I have for today - check back again soon for more Breyerfest Closeups! 

Breyerfest Closeups: Johann

 Greetings, readers! It's time for another Breyerfest Closeups post - today I'll be talking about Johann, the upcoming Classics gambler's choice model for Collector Club members! 

Unfortunately, as I mentioned in a previous post, I had kinda forgotten my Breyerfest Closeups series even existed when I was taking these photos, so this is the only Johann photo I have. My apologies! Anyway, they all look pretty nice - the bay appaloosa's paint job has a vintage look to it, which I like. And again, I'm surprised that they're all glossy - usually one color is left matte. But it's not a huge deal, at least for me, since I'm not going to buy any of these anyway. Just don't have the space to start another conga. The solid bay's color is rather scrumptious too, honestly. I hope these don't sell out as fast as Slyder did, so people have a chance to buy them before they disappear. 

That's all I have for today - check back again soon for another edition of Breyerfest Closeups! 

Breyerfest Closeups: Constantia

 Greetings, readers! Today marks the triumphant return of Breyerfest Closeups, a series of posts I usually do after each year's Breyerfest, featuring the sneak peeks of upcoming releases seen in the Collector Club tent. Today I'll start with Constantia! 

I definitely like her up close, although that right hind leg looks a little weird to me. Probably just the angle. 

Here's an angle we (probably) haven't seen yet - top-down. She definitely looks like she's moving at full speed.

I think the thing I like most about this mold is hard to describe. Bristol is the same way - they both look like a moment perfectly captured in time, frozen in place yet they look like they could come to life and dart away any second. Here's a photo I took of a pacer winning a race during our trip to NZ back in May:

Despite the fact that the horse is pacing, Constantia looks very similar to this - like she could leap off the table and trot away. That's why I like her! I like her face, too. 

That's all I have for today - check back soon for another installment of Breyerfest Closeups! 

New Arrivals: Zeitgeist, Rhenish Draft and....

 Greetings everyone! Welcome to my last New Arrivals post for this year's Breyerfest. Tomorrow (if nothing else exciting happens) I'll get started on Breyerfest Closeups! Can't wait. Anyway, I'll start this off with Zeitgeist, this year's volunteer model:

Photos definitely don't do this beautiful girl justice, and I'm really happy I was able to find one for a good price. She's one of my favorites from the whole trip. One of these days I should get a photo of her with Lafayette, because they'd make a great pair. 

Next, here's my matte Rhenish Draft: 

Both of the Rhenish Drafts I ordered turned out to be matte -sigh. Another glossy to put on my list to track down later. I do really like this color on him, though, despite the fact that blond sorrel is really not one of my favorite colors, at all. It suits him really well, though. 

Now it's time for the last New Arrival. I debated about posting about this guy because, well, he cost a lot of money and I don't like to brag. But this may have been my last chance to bring home a model like this, because I may not return to in-person Breyerfest, or any Breyer collector events, for the foreseeable future, for reasons I'm not ready to discuss yet (nothing bad, just planning for the future). So I decided to splurge a bit, pay the most I've ever paid for a model, and bring home...this guy. 

It has been one of my goals to acquire at least one OOAK model for my collection for a few years now, and I finally managed it - this is the Sun-faded Bay Icelandic Horse from this year's Live Auction. Of course, I would have preferred to do it back in 2019 before the prices went insane, but that's just how it goes, I guess. The auction itself was pretty surreal - I was considering bidding on the Andalusian, but just couldn't justify paying that amount of money for a model with a relatively plain paint job. Then, the next few models after that one started selling for far higher amounts, and I started to freak out, thinking they all were going to go that high and I'd missed my chance to even get one. But, I had suspected the Icelandic's price would stay lower, since the mold is slightly less popular and he wasn't glossy, and I was right - so I jumped in, bid on him and won. And now I can stay far, far away from any future Breyerfest Live auctions! Or least from the bidder number registration table. After getting him in hand, one of the things I found interesting about him is that he has some texture to his paint job - my other Icelandics are pretty smooth, but not this guy. I also really like how stripey his mane and tail are. 

Anyway, that brings me to the end of New Arrivals for this year. I'll add that I thought the quality control was pretty good this year - all of the models I looked at up close had few to no flaws, except for my Rhenish Drafts, who both had some minor factory flaws and very mild shipping damage. However, I haven't looked very closely at my Nikolas models yet (the Celebration Horses are often rather...lacking in the quality department). So it's entirely possible that those got the short end of the stick again. 

In other news, emails for Peregrine have gone out! If you haven't received anything, don't give up quite yet - check and see if he's listed on your Collector Club homepage, as sometimes the emails never arrive but you were still drawn to buy him. Looks like I wasn't drawn this time, again (grumble grumble), but I guess there's always hope for the wait list. Congrats to all the lucky winners!